Apparatus for recording the closure bite position of the jaw of a patient and the jaw articulation movement during biting together

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for recording the closure bite position of a jaw of a patient and the movement of the jaw articulation on hinges during biting together comprising an upper plate and a lower plate for receiving the cast impression or pattern of both jaws and two column members spaced from one another and anchored in a base plate. These column members support both of the plates which extend parallel to the base plate. According to the invention an inner member or part is arranged between the upper plate and the lower plate, this inner member being adjustable and positionally arrestable according to the bite position angle. Furthermore, the inner member is detachably mounted upon an element interconnecting the columns. The lower plate member is arranged to be movable and pivotable relative to the upper plate member.

United States Patent 9 Martfay et al.

[ APPARATUS FOR RECORDING THE CLOSURE BITE POSITION OF THE JAW OF A PATIENT AND THE .I AW ARTICULATION MOVEMENT DURING BITING TOGETHER [75] Inventors: Ernst Mart fay, Sachseln; Karl Rohrer-Spichtig, Flueli-Ranft, b0

of Switzerland 7 173i Assignee: Jozset" Balogh, Luzern, Switzerland [22] Filed: July 3, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 268,707

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 6, 1971 Switzerland... .I 9922/71 [52] US. Cl. 32/32 [51] Int. Cl. A61c 11/00 [58] Field of Search 32/32 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Sanbornf. 32/32 [111 3,815,242 [4 1, J ne 11, 1974 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Werner W. Kleeman 5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus for recording the closure bite position of a jaw of a patient and the movement of the jaw articulation on hinges during biting together comprising an upper plate and a lower plate for receiving the cast impression orpattern of both jaws and two column members spaced from one another and anchored in a base plate. These column members support both of the plates which extend parallel to the base plate. According to the invention an inner member or part is arranged between the upper plate and the lower plate, this inner member being adjustable and positionally arrestable according to the bite position angle. Furthermore, the inner member is detachably mounted upon an element inter-connecting the columns. The lower plate member is arranged to be movable and pivotable relative to the upper plate member.

10Claims, G'Drawing Figures FATENTEDJUN n w 33915242 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG.2

P/UFNTEUJUH 1 1 mm SHEET 30F 4 FIG.3

THE .IAW ARTICULATION MOVEMENT DURING BITING TOGETHER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved construction of apparatus for recording the closure bite position of the jaw of a patient and the movement of the jaw articulation or hinges during biting together, comprising an upper plate member and a lower plate member serving to receive cast impressions or patterns of both jaws, and further including two columns anchored in spaced relationship with regard toone another in a base plate, the columns carrying both of the plate members which extend substantially parallel to the base plate.

,plicated movement during speaking and chewing. This movement is quite individualistic and is dependent upon the configuration of the ball cup or socket at the skull of the patient into which are mounted the hinges of the lower jaw. Also the inclination of a plane passing through the hinges or articulations (condylus) and the mouth opening of apatient is very different. On the average it forms an inclination of 33 with regard to the horizontal plane.

In order to reproduce the pivotal-and-wave motion of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw there have been designed so-called articulators which are based upon different hinge systems. All of these known articulators, however, have the same drawback, namely they only approximately partake in the movements of the human jaw. Furthermore, the hinge mechanisms produced in accordance with the human joint or hinge connections can only provide an approximate or aver-.

age form and not that of a specific individual. With the known articulators in many instances the upper jaw is moved instead of the lower jaw. When measuring the angle of the aforementioned inclination plane there is measured the angle at the face of the patient by means of a face bracket having different support-, displacementor fill or backing rods and by means of such face bracket there is determined or fixed at the articulator the appropriate plane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

Hence, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for recording the closure bite position of the jaw of the. patient and the movement of the jaw hinges duringbiting together in a manner not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the state-of-the-art proposals.

Another and more specific object of the present invention aims atovercoming these previously discussed disadvantages and providing an apparatus for recording the closure bite position of a patient and the jaw hinge displacement or movement during biting together, wherein there can be recorded in a very simple manner the angle of inclination of a plane passingthrough the hinges and the mouth opening of a patient, and further wherein the pivotal movement of the lower jaw of a patient during biting together can be authentically simulated.

Yet a further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved apparatus of the character described capable of fulfilling the aforementioned objectives, and which additionally is relatively simple in design, not readily subject to malfunction, extremely easy to use and capable of providing extremely accurate results.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates the provision of an inner member between the upper plate member and the lower plate member which can be adjusted and positionally arrested as a function of the bite position angle and which inner member is detachably mounted at an'element connecting the aforementioned columns. Furthermore, the lower plate member is movably and pivotably arranged relative to the upper plate member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of an apparatus for recording the closure bite position of the jaw and the jaw hinge movement, illustrating the upper plate member in its pivoted-away position and a plan view of the inner member or part;

FIG. 1a is a plan view depicting details of the inner member; I

FIG. 2 is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 1, partially in section, with the cast patterns or impressions in the closedposition, however without the inner member;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow A;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the line C-C thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the arrangement of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow B thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS comprising a support leg 10 and the rear portion of base plate 1 bears without any support at a surface. Consequently, the position of the apparatus is inclined with regard to a horizontal plane, the range of angular inclination of the apparatus with regard to'the horizontal plane being determined by adjustment of an adjustment screw 2 having a pivot or support head 3 and which is threadably connected into the adjustment support leg10. This angle of inclination can be adjusted within a-range of 25 to 40 and should represent the inclination ofthe plane in which are located both jaw joints or hinges in the hinge or ball socket and the mouth opening of a patient, and the angle of which with respect to the horizontal plane on the average amounts to 35.

Two'columns or column membersS are anchored at the base'plate 1 by means of screws 4 or equivalent fastening expedients, these columns 5 being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane containing the base plate l. Further, column members 5 possess guide slots 6 which extend coaxially with respect to the respective axis of the columns 5. These guide slots 6 piercingly extend through the legs 7 of a lower bracket 8, legs 7 extending outwardly behind the column members 5. An anchoring plate 9 is arranged to be pivotable about a horizontal axis at the bracket 8 between the columns 5. This anchoring plate 9 possesses two blocks 11 mountedfor rotation about an axis extending parallel to the axis of the columns. The blocks 11 are pierced by two pins 12 extending parallel to the base plate 1, helical or'coil springs. 13 being wound about these pins 12, and such arepivotably connected with the rear I edge of a lower plate member 14'. A respective helical or coil spring 15 .is inserted internally of each column member 5 and which upwardly displaces the legs 7 of the lower bracket 8, each of which leg 7 is shiftable in the guide slot 6.

The lower platemember 14 is provided at its front edge with a handgrip 16. At the lower face or side of the lower plate. member 14 there is mounted a telescopic support leg 17 having a ball or spherical head 18, the inner compartment of the telescopic support leg members 5. A support or carrier arm 29 accommodating an upper plate 30 is pivotablymounted so that it can be rocked about a horizontal axis through l80 at a bolt member 31 which piercingly extends through the 17 being equipped with a helical or coil spring 19. The

ball or spherical head 18 of this telescopic support leg 17 is engageable with a substantially semisphericalshaped recess 20 at the base plate 1. The two pins or pin members 12 are pivotably mounted in hubs 21 at the rear edge of the lower plate member 14. These two pin members 12 piercingly extend through the blocks An upwardly extending blade spring 24 secured to the base plate lispivotablyarranged about a horizontal axis at a holderor support arm 25, This holder arm 25 is secured by means of two screws 26 or the like to the base plate 1. Centrally of the transverseledge 22 there are riveted two mandrels or pins 23, the blade spring 24 being guided through the narrow space be-' tween both mandrels 23 which bear snugly against one another. I,

The upper ends of the column members 5 are bridged t by an upper bracket 27, as best seen by referring to FIG. 5, which possesses two projections or shoulders 27a. This upper bracket 27 is threadably connected by means of two screws 28 or the like with both column shoulders orprojections 27a and the support arm 29. A locking or latching mechanism 51 is provided at-a recess 32 of the upper bracket 27 an'dinto which recess pivotably moves the hinge arrangement 33 of the support arm 29. This locking mechanism 51 comprises a spring-loaded ball which engagesin appropriate depressions or recesses at the periphery of the support arm hinge arrangement or pivot 33.'Support arm 29 possesses an internal compartment into which can be introduced an extension or projection 34 of the upper plate member 30 and which can be arrested or locked by means of a screw 36 extending through a slot 35at the upper side of the support arm 29 and into the threading of the projection 34. At the front side of the upper plate member 30 there is guided a control pin 38 extending parallel to the column axes, this control pin" 38 being guided in a groove of a support plate-37 secured to the upper face of the upper plate member 30. This control pin 38 possesses an elongate slot 42 and can be arrested in desired position by means of a screw 39. The lower end of this pin 38 extends up to the region of the handgrip 16 at the lowerplate member 14.

Between the upper plate member 30 and the lower plate member l4 there is supported an inner member or part 40 at a member or component 41 interconnecting both columns or column members 5. The horseshoe-like ring strips of the inner member'40 corresponds to the shape of the bite or denture. It is secured to a support ledge 43 which together with the strips are pivotably arranged at a bolt member 46 piercingly extending through the projections or shoulders 44 of the support ledge 43 and an arm member 45. More over, the inner member 40 can be arrested in desired position by a clamping screw 52. Arm member 45 possesses an elongate slot 54 in. which there is arranged a screw 48 threaded into a bifurcated or forked member 47. This bifurcated member 47 is inserted into a groove 53 at the interconnecting member 41 and can be locked in desired position by a screw 49 or equivalent. The member or component 41 interconnecting the columns 5 is rigidly riveted with the columns 5 so that its ends extend beyond the columns 5, like the legs 7 of the lower bracket 8, however above such legs. Relatively long screws 55 are threadably connected with threaded holes or bores 50 of the oppositely situated ends of the interconnecting member 41, these long screws 55 extending up to the region of the associated leg 7 and retaining such in the desired position against the action of the associated helical or coil spring 15. Owing to the described mounting of the inner member 40 it is possible to positionally adjust and arrest the inner member 9 in anumber of different planes.

The above described apparatus functions in the following manner:

- The cast or moulded impressions or patterns of the upper and lower jaw of a patient are connected ,with a hardened or setting gypsum with the lower face of the upper plate member 30 and with the upper face of the .lower plate member 14. These upperand lower plate members together with the cast impressions are closed together so that both jaws bearagainst one another, and wherein the inner member 40 has not yet been inserted between the upper and lower plate members. Thereafter the upper plate member 30 is suitably rocked or pivoted in order to render possible placement of the inner members 40 upon the member 41 interconnecting the columns 5 and to fix the angle of the closure bite position according to the position of the lower jaw. Then all of the teeth in the upper jaw are erected. When the upper jaw is finished it is placed upon the inner member and tried out at the angle of the closure bite position. Thereafter, the teeth are erected at the lower jaw with articulation and occlusion. The inner member is removed and due to manipulation of the lower plate member with the cast pattern or impression the erected teeth of the lower jaw are accommodated to the position of the teeth of the upper jaw.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for recording the closure bite posi tion of the jaw of a patient and the movement of the hinges of the jaw during biting together, comprising an upper plate member and a lower plate member for receiving cast impressions of both jaws, a base plate, a pair of columns supporting both plate members substantially parallel to said base plate, said columns being anchored in spaced relationship with regard to one another at said base plate, an inner member, which can be positionally adjusted and arrested according to the bite position angle arranged between the upper plate member and the lower plate member, means positioned between the upper and lower plate member interconnecting said columns, said inner member being detachably mounted at said interconnecting means, said inner member comprises a substantially horseshoe-shaped strip means corresponding to the shape of a denture, means for mounting said inner member at the means interconnecting said columns such that it can be positionally adjusted and arrested in at least three planes, and means for movably and pivotably mounting said lower plate member relative to said upper plate member.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner member comprises a substantially horseshoeshaped strip means corresponding to the shape of a denture, means for mounting said inner member at the means interconnecting said columns such that it can be positionally adjusted and arrested in at least three planes.

3. An apparatus for recording the closure bite position of the jaw of a patient and the movement of the hinges of the jaw during biting together, comprising an upper plate member and a lower plate member for receiving cast impressions of both jaws, a base plate, a pair of columns supporting both plate members substantially parallel to said base plate, said columns being anchored in spaced relationship with regard to one another at said base plate, an inner member, which can be positionally adjusted and arrested according to the bite position angle arranged between the upper plate member and the lower plate member, means interconnecting said columns, said inner member being detachably mounted at said interconnecting means, and means for movably and pivotably mounting said lower plate member relative to said upper plate member, a handgrip provided at a front edge region of the lower plate member, said base plate being provided with a recess, a telescopic supporting leg equipped with a spiral spring provided at the bottom face of said lower plate member and engageable with said base plate recess, a pair of spring-loaded pin members pivotably mounted at a rear edge region of the lower plate member, an anchoring plate, said lower plate member being connected with said anchoring plate by means of said spring-loaded pin members, a lower bracket between said columns, said columns having guides and said bracket having legs displaceable in said guides of said columns.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 3, including a pair of blocks pivotably secured at said anchoring plate, said pin members piercingly extending through said pair of blocks, a transverse ledge located rearwardly of said anchoring plate, said pin members terminating at said transverse ledge at which said pin members are pivotably mounted and forming together with said transverse ledge a parallelogram, and an upwardly extending blade spring for retaining said pin members with said transverse ledge in their central position, said blade spring being secured at said base plate.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said guides of said columns are defined by guide slots, a respective spiral spring against the action of which the legs of said bracket can be displaced at said guide slots of said columns, and a pair of screws for arresting said legs in desired position.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including a support arm, said upper plate member being displaceable in one direction at said support arm, a screw means for arresting said upper plate member in desired position, an upper bracket, a bolt piercingly extending through said support arm, said upper plate member being pivotable through about said upper bracket and said bolt.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, further including an adjustable control pin provided at a front edge of the upper plate member, and screw means for arresting said control pin in desired position.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including means arranged at the bottom face of said base plate for adjusting said apparatus relative to a horizontal plane through an angle of about 25 to 40.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said adjusting means comprises screw means.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means arranged at the bottom face of said base plate for adjusting said apparatus relative to the horizontal plane through an angle of about 25 to 40. 

1. An apparatus for recording the closure bite position of the jaw of a patient and the movement of the hinges of the jaw during biting together, comprising an upper plate member and a lower plate member for receiving cast impressions of both jaws, a base plate, a pair of columns supporting both plate members substantially parallel to said base plate, said columns being anchored in spaced relationship with regard to one another at saiD base plate, an inner member, which can be positionally adjusted and arrested according to the bite position angle arranged between the upper plate member and the lower plate member, means positioned between the upper and lower plate member interconnecting said columns, said inner member being detachably mounted at said interconnecting means, said inner member comprises a substantially horseshoe-shaped strip means corresponding to the shape of a denture, means for mounting said inner member at the means interconnecting said columns such that it can be positionally adjusted and arrested in at least three planes, and means for movably and pivotably mounting said lower plate member relative to said upper plate member.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner member comprises a substantially horseshoe-shaped strip means corresponding to the shape of a denture, means for mounting said inner member at the means interconnecting said columns such that it can be positionally adjusted and arrested in at least three planes.
 3. An apparatus for recording the closure bite position of the jaw of a patient and the movement of the hinges of the jaw during biting together, comprising an upper plate member and a lower plate member for receiving cast impressions of both jaws, a base plate, a pair of columns supporting both plate members substantially parallel to said base plate, said columns being anchored in spaced relationship with regard to one another at said base plate, an inner member, which can be positionally adjusted and arrested according to the bite position angle arranged between the upper plate member and the lower plate member, means interconnecting said columns, said inner member being detachably mounted at said interconnecting means, and means for movably and pivotably mounting said lower plate member relative to said upper plate member, a handgrip provided at a front edge region of the lower plate member, said base plate being provided with a recess, a telescopic supporting leg equipped with a spiral spring provided at the bottom face of said lower plate member and engageable with said base plate recess, a pair of spring-loaded pin members pivotably mounted at a rear edge region of the lower plate member, an anchoring plate, said lower plate member being connected with said anchoring plate by means of said spring-loaded pin members, a lower bracket between said columns, said columns having guides and said bracket having legs displaceable in said guides of said columns.
 4. The apparatus as described in claim 3, including a pair of blocks pivotably secured at said anchoring plate, said pin members piercingly extending through said pair of blocks, a transverse ledge located rearwardly of said anchoring plate, said pin members terminating at said transverse ledge at which said pin members are pivotably mounted and forming together with said transverse ledge a parallelogram, and an upwardly extending blade spring for retaining said pin members with said transverse ledge in their central position, said blade spring being secured at said base plate.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said guides of said columns are defined by guide slots, a respective spiral spring against the action of which the legs of said bracket can be displaced at said guide slots of said columns, and a pair of screws for arresting said legs in desired position.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including a support arm, said upper plate member being displaceable in one direction at said support arm, a screw means for arresting said upper plate member in desired position, an upper bracket, a bolt piercingly extending through said support arm, said upper plate member being pivotable through 180* about said upper bracket and said bolt.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, further including an adjustable control pin provided at a front edge of the upper plate member, and screw means for arresting said control pin in desired position.
 8. The aPparatus as defined in claim 3, further including means arranged at the bottom face of said base plate for adjusting said apparatus relative to a horizontal plane through an angle of about 25* to 40*.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said adjusting means comprises screw means.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means arranged at the bottom face of said base plate for adjusting said apparatus relative to the horizontal plane through an angle of about 25* to 40*. 